Northeast Iowa Catholics can eat meat on St. Patrick's Day 2017

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The Archbishop of Dubuque said it's OK to have meat this St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is a big deal for Kathy Ginter, owner of the restaurant West Dubuque Tap.

"We're preparing for St. Patrick's Day, corned beef and cabbage, and all the fixings with green beer," she said.

But since St. Patrick's day falls on a Friday this year, Archbishop Michael Jackels says it's okay for Catholics within the Archdiocese of Dubuque to eat meat.

"I think it's awesome, I'm Irish and I'm Catholic and I think it's great that he's dispensating everybody so we can eat corned beef," said Ginter.

I wonder if he was asked to do this or if he had decided on his own to issue a dispensation.

[No Vested Interest]

1. In SW Ohio annual Friendly Sons of St. Patrick dinner received a dispensation from

meat abstention when St. Patrick's Day fell on a Friday. The Archbishop was always one of the honored attendees.
The dinner was a pricey one, held in a ballroom at a premier downtown hotel.

I objected to the elite being given the dispensation and not the regular Catholics, many or most of whom venerated the Irish patron saint as much the Friendly Sons, even though my spouse was one of the attendees of the special occasion.

I wrote a letter to the Archbishop at the time, who responded that he would keep that in mind for future occasions.
I still feel the same today - all should benefit, not just the special few.

[rpannier]

2. It's fairly common

Especially in areas with large Irish communities
It's been around a long time
I grew up in Northern California and every time St Patty's fell on a Friday it was deemed okay. Lived near Chicago for about 8 years - same thing

[meow2u3]

3. Pennsylvanians can eat meat, too

It's a dispensation from the bishop since St. Paddy's day is a feast day.